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Simulations, Sensors and Data in Agri-Food Supply Chains for Sustainable Nutrition
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:13:57
Abstract
This course provides you with knowledge and skills on how to apply physics-based simulations, sensing and data analytics in the supply chain of horticultural crops. The targets are to use these technologies to better preserve food quality, extend shelf life and reduce food waste and the carbon footprint to sustainably provide accessible, affordable, appealing and nutritious food for the world.
Objective
The course targets the postharvest part of the supply chain, as products pass through pre-cooling facilities, refrigerated containers and trucks, and cold storage facilities, before arriving at the retailer and consumer. We target supply chains of both domestic and tropical horticultural crops, including apple, citrus, mangoes, and berries. In addition, other applications in agri-food chains are highlighted, such as preharvest sensing and monitoring for horticultural crops, as well as physics-based simulations, sensing and data analytics in supply chains of foods. We also link to foods of animal origin (meat or milk). We also analyze macro and microplastics, especially in aquatic environments, and their impact on food systems. In the course, we target innovative solutions that are enabled by the augmented insight that simulations and sensing provide with respect to the biophysical processes driving food decay in the cold chain. The course focuses on digital tools for the agri-food chain, such as digital twins, food simulants, data analytics, data science, and sensors. A key objective is to gain specialized knowledge in order to: - Identify which postharvest practices are most suitable for a certain produce and supply chain (e.g., dynamic controlled atmosphere, modified atmosphere packaging, ethylene scrubbing, passive evaporative cooling). - Identify which heat and mass transfer processes (e.g., conduction, convection, radiation, respiration, evaporation) play a key role for a certain produce and supply chain - Identify which state-of-the-art sensing technology is most optimal for a certain produce and supply chain (e.g., wireless communication, blockchain technology, and biophysical twins) - Assess if a physics-based model and simulation is built up according to best practices, and if the reported results are realistic - Understand the link of the cooling process to the evolution of food quality attributes - Understand the role and impact of descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive data analytics for food supply chains Another key objective is to acquire skills in order to: - Asses the quality of multiphysics simulations of food cooling processes - Assess food cooling processes with several types of sensors - Calculate food shelf-life by experiments and kinetic-rate-law modeling
Content
The course is built up of interactive lectures and an excursion. The student learns to apply this knowledge to evaluate postharvest problems and develop solution strategies. We also review upcoming national and international startups and companies in these fields throughout the course. The content is as follows: 1. Introduction to the postharvest value chain 2. Postharvest quality and losses 3. Bio-environmental heat and mass transfer 4. Sensors & food simulants 5. Basics & best practice of physics-based simulations 6. Current and emerging technologies 7. Showcase sessions on physics-based simulation and software and sensors types 8. Data acquisition, data analytics and data storytelling for food supply chains 9. Food waste and environmental impact in food supply chains and link to nutrition and human health 10. Excursion
Resources
Lecture Notes
Handouts of the slides will be provided
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 50
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Simulations, Sensors and Data in Agri-Food Supply Chains for Sustainable Nutrition
Does not take place this semester.
This course will be shifted to autumn semester and offered next time in autumn 2026.
|
No time listed | 4 h weekly |
Offered In
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Electives Courses (Elective courses can be chosen from the entire course programme of the ETH Zurich as well as from the course programme of the University of Zurich.)
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